Forum Discussion

CYOUL8R's avatar
CYOUL8R
Explorer
Oct 19, 2020

Battery Disconnect

I'm looking for a good place to install a battery disconnect in my 2012 Sabre.

I know I can put it down in the basement near the battery but that is inconvenient to use it there. I'm think of mounting it inside the driver's side propane compartment. I would only have the knob protruding into that compartment with the backside of the switch mounted in the driver's side of the storage compartment which has a separating wall between the propane compartment and the storage compartment. That's where the wires would be connected.

I will use the Blue Sea switch which allows for multiple mounting configurations. That way I can just open the the propane door to activate/deactivate the switch.

I don't see any arcing of the switch occurring this way in case of a propane leak but what do others think. Would this be safe?

6 Replies

  • schlep1967's avatar
    schlep1967
    Nomad
    Oct 20, 2020
    You are over thinking the battery and propane issue. My battery sits right below my propane tanks from the factory. The disconnect switch is mounted on the bulkhead right next to the tanks with the operating side away from the tanks in the passenger side storage compartment. All the wires and connections are right next to the tanks.

    Pretty much the opposite of what you are saying you want to do.
  • CYOUL8R's avatar
    CYOUL8R
    Explorer
    Oct 19, 2020
    Thanks for the replies but I think I may have not been clear with my question.

    All of the wires will connect to the rear of the switch which would be contained in a storage compartment and not the propane compartment. There is a partitioned wall between the two. The only part of the switch accessible in the propane compartment would be the on/off knob.

    These switches are used in marine environments and are ignition protected for use in gasoline powered applications. I have contacted the manufacturer but have not heard back yet.

    Blue Sea Switch
  • Super_Dave's avatar
    Super_Dave
    Explorer II
    Oct 19, 2020
    The propane storage compartment is heavily vented at the bottom and the door will be wide open. It would likely have to be a full on geyser of propane to be an issue, which you would surely see or smell.

    However, I don't see how opening the propane door is significantly easier than opening the front storage door.
  • Likes_to_tow's avatar
    Likes_to_tow
    Nomad
    Oct 19, 2020
    I bought a disconnect at Wal Mart and it clamps to the positive lead of the battery. All the wires go to the end of it and there is a large knob to tighten it up on the battery. Works great, very quick, simple to install and simple to use....did I also mention cheap.
  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    Oct 19, 2020
    opnspaces wrote:
    In a perfect world there is no arcing from the switch unless you are turning it on or off. In an imperfect world, well, things happen.

    I would not put the switch in an enclosed area that close to the enclosed propane.


    That occurred to me as well. Probably not a good idea.
  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator III
    Oct 19, 2020
    In a perfect world there is no arcing from the switch unless you are turning it on or off. In an imperfect world, well, things happen.

    I would not put the switch in an enclosed area that close to the enclosed propane.

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